Sweet Revenge (Dueling with the Devil) by Vivi Dumas Read Free Book Online

pain pulsing through his body. They maneuvered around the crowd as dancers stopped to gawk at the brutal scene. A diagonal gash damn near gutted him in half. A path of blood followed Jacque as his made his way to the VIP section. Xavier could see the tip of his sternum peeking beneath the sliced flesh. The deep wound ended in the rigid muscles of his stomac h, just below his rib cage.
    Jacque lowered him to the ground. Bell knelt down next to Xavie r, gently lifting his head on her lap .“ He y, stupid. What did ya think you were doing out there ?” Her voice came out small and distant.
    His laugh gurgled in his throa t, as blood continued to seep from his body. She reached up and snatched the linen from the table. Jacque took her cue and grabbed it from her hand. While Bell gently peeled the tattered strips of Xavier’s shirt from his bod y, Jacque ripped long strips of cloth and tied them around Xavie r, coercing the two parts of his chest to close. Every pull of the bandaging was like the pressure of a thousand pound winch snapping his bones back in place. Bell caressed his face as he grimaced from the torture exerted by Jacque’s bindings.
    The others made a semi-circl e, waiting to speak. Angel scooted between Bell and Jacque and helped to tie off the bandages. Her friend Nat lowered herself on Xavier’s other sid e, softly laying her hands over his chest. White light radiated from her palms. Xavier jerked in reaction.
    Red with rag e, Bell gritted between clench teet h, “ What the fuck are you doing to him ? ”
    “ Healing hi m , ” Angel responded for her friend.
    Bell’s cheek brushed the stubble shadowing his jaw as she leaned down and whispered to hi m, “ Hold on for me. I can’t have you dying before you finish your job. I know you’re strong enough to pull through this. Don’t you dare leave me .”
    His hand found hers and gave a firm squeeze. He fought to demonstrate his strength to he r, as he struggled to remain c o n s c i ous . He was amazed he still held his shift through all his agony. He never took his eyes from her face and her gaze remained steady on him. Her forehead creased deep in worry. He was supposed to be rescuing he r, but she was the one tasked to be his savior tonight.
    “ Bell? Sissy! You gotta move over. Nat is a healer. L e t h e r t a ke ca r e o f h im . ” Her brother’s voice broke through their haze. Someone tugged at her sleev e, then scooped her from the floor .“ No. I don’t want to leave him .” His hand grasped tighter around her small fingers .“ Please let me stay next to him .”  
    Whispers fluttered behind her. Something about never seeing her concerned about anyone. The light diminished from the witch’s hands. She fell back into the waiting arms of Etienne. He assisted her into a chair and handed her a drink. Tiny sparks of energy traveled through Xavier’s bod y, rejuvenating his cells. Bell closed in on him. He honed in on her as his body mended. She rested his head on her lap again and brushed her fingers over his temple. Fear glazed over her expression. Her vulnerability enhanced her beauty.
    Dark lashes fluttered slowl y, revealing the most precious aqua jewels he ever had the pleasure of viewing. Her alabaster hand stood in stark contrast to the rich chocolate hue of his skin. A slow grin crawled across his lips. Before she could stop hi m, Xavier caught the chains on her shirt and jerked her to him. His kiss devoured her.
    He held her fir m, relishing the scent of her arousal. The heat of his mouth burned against her ear .“ You surprised me. I didn’t know you cared so much for me .” He lay bac k, tickle d, as she snatched out of his grasp.
    “ I don’t like my dates dying on me .” In one swift motio n, Bell stood.
    Xavier’s head hit the floor with a thud .“ Shi t, Bell . ”
    Her foot connected with his sid e, with excruciating accuracy. The others watched with fascination .“ Get your ass up. I’m ready to go . ”
    Laurent